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Letter to a Christian Nation (Vintage)

Author: Sam Harris
Publisher: Vintage Books USA
Category: Book

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Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

44 reviews
Sales Rank: 143601

Media: Paperback
Edition: Reprint
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 144
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.4
Dimensions (in): 8 x 5.2 x 0.5

ISBN: 0307278778
Dewey Decimal Number: 277.3083
EAN: 9780307278777
ASIN: 0307278778

Publication Date: January 8, 2008
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Also Available In:

•	Hardcover - Letter to a Christian Nation
•	Hardcover - Letter to a Christian Nation
•	Audio CD - Letter to a Christian Nation

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Customer Reviews: Read 39 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars

Should be read by every Christian without exception June 19, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Speaking as a former Christian (and now an ardent secularist), I can say without hesitation that this book should be read by EVERY person who considers themself to be a Christian.

I have bought more copies of this book than any other as I regularly give copies to friends and family members, as I am that confident that their lives would be bettered by considering the issues it raises.

A copy of this book should reside in every hotel room across the Western world.

4 out of 5 stars

A succint warning for secularists June 14, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

Harris had written this book primarily for secularists so as to defend against the threats posed in the U.S. by the Christian Right. Unlike "The End of Faith", he says little about other religions, in particular Islam. This book was shorter and more about what I am familiar with.

Preaching to the choir? Undoubtedly to large extent but unlike "The End of Faith" I do not expect many secularists will feel he is unfairly extreme: this time he seems to be speaking well to address the concerns of many of us including those liberal and moderate Christians (and even conservative Christians) who do not feel well served by the political activities of the Christian Right.

Harris comments that "atheism" isn't any more necessary as a label than having to have "words for people who doubt that Elvis is still alive...". Anti-Elvisians? But would it be rude to the memory of Elvis, who, despite reported problems, was indeed a great performer? I did see and enjoy his movies. Perhaps Elvisism deserves founding, perhaps it already has been. Perhaps I could become a Elvisian apologist. Just show one of the movies or concerts and I'd have no trouble finding believers? Would you join? Pledge? Agree with me that Elvis not only lived but that I could speak for him. And that Elvis did not want your children learning about evolution in public schools. Or maybe gravity.

Foolish? Harris writes toward the end of this book "Clearly, it is time we learned to meet our emotional needs without embracing the preposterous". Harris expresses understanding: he writes that he does not "doubt that your acceptance of Christ may have coincided with positive changes in your life". He expresses no wish to discount those experiences but points out that many people now and before have had what seemed to him similar experiences in many ways, religious and otherwise. But he also believes that such experiences can be misinterpreted as one may do for those of other faiths. Claims that one's own religion is that different seems extraordinary and, as Carl Sagan popularized, "extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence".

I, for one, can see no good reason why I would deny that Elvis lives if credible existence of that existed, especially if it promised me some life after death in Blue Hawaii, an opportunity to frolic with a youthful Ann-Margaret for eternity. I would gladly read the books of Elvisian apologists if I felt uncertain. It would all seem silly if there were not efforts underway at this moment in the U.S. to discredit evolution in public school science textbooks and even to establish a Christian nation with Old Testament laws.

Harris says it far better than I can, he's forceful but succinct (less than 100 pages). He concludes with a list of ten recommended book (I've only read five of them to date) that would make for good next reading steps. You may also consider registering with the Brights' Network (see their web site).

5 out of 5 stars

Short. Sharp. Brilliant. Devastating. June 2, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

It is sometimes said that the pen is the sharpest of weapons when used correctly. In no book I have read has this been more true. This book is a mere 90 very small pages, even slow readers will make it through in a couple of hours, and the arguments are completely devastating all the way through, I was an out-an-out atheist before reading it, and I've always been so, but this book makes the points so well that I almost felt sorry for any true believers reading it, they must be crying when they finish this, but if so, it should be tears of joy and understanding.

Challenge every believer you know to read this book.

5 out of 5 stars

Short. Sharp. Powerful. Brilliant. May 14, 2008
3 out of 3 found this review helpful

The real power in this book comes from the arguments put forward. Sam Harris seems to work on a level of pure reason. His words are not the ranting of a fanatic, or zealot - but rather a thoughtful and concerned (and highly moral) point of view from a person who clearly loves his country and is very concerned (and rightly so!) in the direction it seems to be heading.

The book is unequivocally brilliant! I find it hard to imagine a truly open minded believer (if there is such a thing) not feeling truly doubtful of their misguided beliefs after reading this book.
If, however, you don't feel the slightest shaking of your beliefs then congratulations - you are a fundamentalist.

5 out of 5 stars

Short, but so is a 1" Punch to the Gut April 27, 2008
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

I did not realise how quick a read this would be: I read the whole thing in an evening!
Harris' writing style relentlessly smashes misconceptions about atheism while at the same time exposing the great fallacies of organised religion. It is lean and intelligent, never apologetic, and always relevant. I can't attest to its effectiveness as a catalyst for critical thought in the mind of a religious person, but I imagine it would give them something to think about. I imagine that the main problem is getting a believer to read it in the first place, although due to its size it is far more accessible than the God Delusion.